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| Unit name |
Responses to the Roman Empire |
| Unit code |
CLASM1009 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Sandwell |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
The Roman empire has long attracted attention and fascination for its size, longevity and apparent success at imposing imperial rule. It is often seen as the ultimate example or point of comparison for those themselves involved in imperialist enterprises or for those critiquing the imperial enterprises of others. Even in ancient times what it meant to rule an empire, the impact of empire on Rome and what it was to be a subject of the Roman empire were debated and contested. This course will be concerned with how these complex responses to the Roman empire, both ancient and modern, interact with each other and also form our view of the nature of Roman imperialism. We will consider some of the characterizations of Roman imperialism (such accidental empire, defensive empire, empire without bureaucracy, beneficial empire) and will then problematize their formation and the assumptions that underlie them.
Aims:
- to familiarise students with ancient Greek and Roman views about, and representations of, the Roman empire.
- to develop skills in reading and interpreting the different ways that Roman imperialism has been characterized and the extent to which this is related to our own views about empire past and present.
- to enable students to use the knowledge acquired in seminars and through independent research to construct coherent, relevant and critical arguments concerning the interpretative issues raised by the representation of and responses to empire in the sources studied.
- to develop skills in oral and written communication, and in independent research.
- to broaden and/or fill-in the range of ancient texts and topics with which MA students are familiar.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students should:
- be familiar with a variety of different ancient Greek and Roman views about, and representations of, the Roman empire.
- have developed skills in reading and interpreting the different ways in which Roman imperialism has been characterized and the extent to which this is related to our own views about empire past and present.
- have developed their skills in reading and interpreting different kinds of texts in relation
to issues concerning the representation of and responses to empire in the sources studied.
- be able to use the knowledge acquired in seminars and through independent research to construct coherent, relevant and critical arguments concerning the interpretative issues raised by the representation of empire in the sources studied.
- have had the opportunity to develop their skills in oral and written communication, in making seminar presentations, taking part in seminar discussions, and in assessed essays.
Teaching Information
Seminars.
Assessment Information
Summative assessment: 1 essay of 4,000 words (100%)
Formative assessment: written feedback on a presentation; comments on plans and draft bibliographies for summative essay.
Reading and References
- J. Bryce, The Ancient Roman Empire and the British Empire in India, 1914, or
- Earl of Cromer (Baring, E.), Ancient and Modern Imperialism, 1910.
- C. B. Champion, Roman Imperialism: Readings and Sources, 2004.
- W. V. Harris, War and Imperialism in Republican Rome 327-70 BC, 1979.
- R. Hingley, Roman Officers and English Gentlemen: The Imperial Origins of Roman Archaeology, 2000.
